Perhaps when you think of February you may think of candy hearts and rose deliveries to your office.  At Imerman Angels, we think of Gall Bladder Cancer Awareness Month.  You may be wondering “What/Where is my Gallbladder?”.   Below is the skinny on this rarely discussed body organ and the cancer that can affect it:

What is a Gallbladder: Your gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of your abdomen, just beneath your liver.

What does it do: The gallbladder stores bile, a digestive fluid produced by your liver.

Gallbladder cancer is relatively uncommon and effects about 9,810 new cases annually.  It is more common in women than men, and is more common when there have been previous gallstones, obesity, are over 70 or have a family history.

Because of the rare nature of GBC, fighters may come up short when searching for others who have fought a similar fight.  Throughout this month, we are hoping to fulfill our mission so that no one fights cancer alone by connecting with GBC fighters, survivors and caregivers.   We would love to hear your story if you feel called to share it with a fellow member of the cancer community: 877-274-5529.

Imerman Angels is excited to announce our Professional’s Board for 2013!  Our amazing team of 21 volunteers will be a tremendous resource in supporting our mission, raising awareness, fundraising, planning/executing events, and recruiting/supporting Team Imerman Active.  Most importantly, they have a keen eye on having fun in all of their endeavors.  Their commitment, drive, and talents will play a crucial role in Imerman Angels’ ability to support Cancer Survivors and fighters.  We are very thankful to have such an awesome group to work with!

Quick list and thank you to our members:

Jemma Lotzer, Lizzy Sternberg, Brennan Hughes, Megan Hughes, Anita Kalhan, Kevin Kurasch, Spencer Larkin, Michael Leyva, Allison Mecher, Grant Niewinski, Jim Rafferty, Kate Shanahan, Julie Teitelbaum, Victoria Unger, Kevin Ware, Matthew Abeles, Ashley Beirne, Matthew Kornblatt, Brianna Martinez, Khatam Masoud, Janelle Myers, Sara Oliphant, Anjali Pandit

Name: Bob
Angel Type: Survivor
Cancer: Prostate
Date Type: Radiation seed implant

Date: 1/15/2007

Why is this date special to you?
This was the day I began to be a cancer survivor rather than a cancer victim. I had been diagnosed the day before Thanksgiving (11/22/06-another significant date). That made for a tough holiday season. But with the procedure and great doctors, January 15 was a new start to a whole new life. With the prospect of surviving, every day became a new opportunity and a new thanksgiving. From that day my life is richer and I take nothing for granted.
Is there something special that you do each year to honor or celebrate this date?
I say a prayer to myself and express my gratitude for each day. I think how when you hear your own name and “cancer” used in the same sentence; it stops you in your tracks no matter who you are. The day reminds me that life is precious. Your family and friends are precious. Life is for living, not for sleepwalking and is not a caffeinated, multi-tasking frenzy. People are important, not things. Slow down.
Why did you choose to share this date with Imerman Angels?
I learned about Imerman Angels after I was already on the road to recovery. It would have been great to have had access to it from the time I was diagnosed. I had great doctors and family support, but I never spoke to someone who had been through the same experience. This organization provides a much-needed service to families touched by cancer. No one should go through this alone and I want Imerman Angels to grow so that no one has to.
What is a lesson your experience or your loved ones experience with cancer has taught you?
I think of the expression that “man plans and God laughs”. As much as we think we control our lives, it simply isn’t completely true. Although we make choices, much is out of our control. Cancer makes us humble and makes us realize the gift of life is to be treasured each day. The whole world is in the same boat. Let’s be kind to our shipmates.

This blog post is a part of the Imerman Angels “What’s Your Date?” Campaign, honoring & celebrating cancer stories.

#WhatsYourDate

Whatsyourdate.org

Name: Hector
Angel Type: Survivor
Cancer: Head & Neck
Date Type: Last Day of Treatments

Date: 5/18/2012

Why is this date special to you?
It was the beginning of a new life for me.  I felt like a champion after going through chemo and radiation treatments.  I felt more thankful as I never felt before. It was a very special day for us.

Is there something special that you do each year to honor or celebrate this date?
This year is going to be my first year as a survivor. I am planning to celebrate by calling all of my love ones that supported me through my fight and thank them for all the love I felt through me from them.

Why did you choose to share this date with Imerman Angels?
Because when I needed the most support, IA was there for me.  My Angel showed me that there WILL be a tomorrow.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you or your loved ones journey with cancer?
I read once that anyone can slay a dragon, but trying to wake up every morning and loving the world all over again… that’s what takes a real hero.  This is what I think about every cancer survivor.

This blog post is a part of the Imerman Angels “What’s Your Date?” Campaign, honoring & celebrating cancer stories.

#WhatsYourDate

Whatsyourdate.org

Caitlin’s Story

Angel Type: Survivor

Cancer: Rhabdomyosarcoma

Date Type: Diagnosis

Date: 6/28/2012

Why is this date special to you?
On June 28th, 1996 I was finishing packing for my godmother’s wedding, in which I was supposed to be a junior bridesmaid. I suddenly had trouble catching my breath. This had been happening more frequently the last few days so my dad decided to take me into the walk in clinic to check it out. 1 ambulance, 1 helicopter ride and 2 hospitals later, they discovered that my respiratory infection was actually a football sized tumor that had collapsed my right lung and was beginning to press against my trachea. For my entire family and I, June 28th marked the day we first begin my battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. After I finished treatment, the date became so much more to me. It’s a milestone marker I use to measure how far I’ve come.

Is there something special that you do each year to honor or celebrate this date?
Initially, I thought nothing good could happen on June 28th, and spent my first two “cancerversaries” hiding in bed. My older sister eventually got tired of this and decided that we needed to start creating some happy memories to associate with this date.  It has become a day I celebrate how far I’ve come and how incredibly lucky I’ve been.  My three sisters and I are the main celebrators of the day, with celebrations ranging from Abba cover band concerts to cancerversary parties. Traditions such as “Happy I’m alive day” cakes, to silly t-shirts with embarrassing photos of me as a little kid (the first being a picture of me in a teenage mutant ninja turtle costume with the slogan “Kicking cancer since ’96″).

What is a lesson your experience or your loved ones experience with cancer has taught you?
Not everyone has to face cancer, but we are all going to have tough times, bad days and “why me?” moments….but having cancer taught me that scars don’t break you down, they make you stronger, bad days don’t last forever and that you usually don’t notice the generous and amazing people in the world until times are tough.

This blog post is a part of the Imerman Angels “What’s Your Date?” Campaign, honoring & celebrating cancer stories.

#WhatsYourDate?

www.whatsyourdate.org